NFL 2013-2014

[Professor]

[Bauce]

Not that it showed in this post season, but I think the Eagles have the right idea about practicing and preparing for difficult environments. It showed in our stellar road record. They use hand signals in a no huddle to communicate the plays and in practice they blast loud music so no one can hear each other. It's why I felt we could actually be the team that was unphased by Seattle's homefield advantage. Maybe we'll be able to do it next time.

[Mr.Bill]

Dome teams should just get rid of the domes. Unless they get the home field advantage all the way through the playoffs when they go on the road they have a disadvantage, especially if they have to play up north. I'm just going by memory but I think only 3 dome teams have ever won the SB, 3 wins in almost 50 years.

This year? 3 northern teams and SF, and SF a) for the most part plays the type of game that works up north in the crappy weather, and b) SF's weather isn't exactly paradise. I can't remember his name but years ago a baseball player said 'the coldest winter he ever felt was the summer he played for the Giants in SF'..

If the team is a pass happy dome team they're probably going to struggle if the have to play outdoors in January.

This is a stat from 2010 so it's a little dated, but it's eye opening:

The Vikings, Colts and Saints are a combined 8-21 (.276) in road playoff games since they moved their home games indoors; and just 7-19 (.269) in road playoff games outdoors. In each case, they perform worse than the typical road team in the playoffs.

[The Dude]

1. It's a small sample

2. I'd need to see the record of non-dome teams to compare, as well. It would still be a small sample, but at least to see the current variation.

[Leviathan]

[eynon81]

[The Dude]

Cold isn't an issue for football. The real issue that affects performance isn't cold, but it's wind. Wind sucks and makes things difficult. Players perform about as well in cold as warm and same with snow if it's not windy. Heavy rain also affects games.

But the cold sucks for fans, but as long as enough of them are willing to pay to go there, that's on them.


Also, I'd argue the bad weather helped New Orleans in Seattle. Seattle's offense was mostly shit. Wilson couldn't do anything. I'll say it again but Seattle's Pass Defense is pretty much the best type of pass D in terms of scheme and personnel to play the Saints. All good weather would have done would have been to give Seattle more points.

New Orleans defense played really well. 10 of the given up points were due to a shitty punt and a fumble, neither of which were their fault. The final 7 was the end of the game, anyway (and another short field). The weather helped New Orleans defense.

Also, Payton's decision to kick that 48 yarder down 8 on 4th and 15 was one of the worst decisions I've seen all season long by any coach. What the hell was he thinking there? Even a punt made more sense...

[Leviathan]

[Leviathan]

[Bauce]